Technology can be your best friend or your worst enemy. Today was a busy day in our chartless, paperless all digital orthodontic office. Electronic check in, chairside charting and imaging, digital radiography all enhance our ability to serve our patients well. However, this afternoon our servers went down and our internet phones shut down. I was immediately in contact with our IT guys, who told me it was related to the recent electrical storm. I fell behind schedule and patients and parents were kept waiting. In the middle of the chaos, one of the moms comes over and gives me a check for the Smile Rescue Fund for Kids and later another mom stuffed a one hundred dollar bill into my hands to be donated to the fund. Wow. How about that. Bottom line: today was a good day.

http://smilerescuefund.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/SmileRescue_logo.jpg00Leon Klempnerhttp://smilerescuefund.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/SmileRescue_logo.jpgLeon Klempner2011-06-10 22:58:182013-12-30 23:43:41Bad Day or Good Day

Under the guidance of Mrs. Robin Siegel, a dedicated group of 2nd and 3rd graders at Barton Elementary School got together after school to raise money to help Saline get her surgery.

The children had the fantastic idea to sell bracelets throughout the school at $1 each. Engraved on each bracelet were the words “Kids Working for Kids.” I visited the school to talk about Saline and the Smile Rescue Fund for Kids. The children were very curious about the details of my missions and asked many questions. I asked them how they felt about participating in the project. The consensus was that it “felt good inside to help someone else.”
I couldn’t agree more.

We congratulate Mrs. Siegel and the students at Barton Elementary School and hope that this will be a model for other schools.

Are you a teacher or parent interested in developing a fundraising program? Contact me and I’ll be happy to help: leon@smilerescuefund.org

Long Island Orthodontist Launches Charity to Fund Surgeries for Children with Facial DeformitiesThe Smile Rescue Fund for Kids Helps Children Too Severe for Treatment by Established Charitable Organizations

The Smile Rescue Fund for Kids is currently raising money for the surgery of Saline, a young girl who lives in the Nyanza Province of Kenya.

Setauket, NY (May 25, 2011) – Long Island orthodontist Leon Klempner today announces the launch of The Smile Rescue Fund for Kids, an organization he founded to provide funding to children born with severe facial and craniofacial deformities. These children have such significant challenges that they cannot be helped by their families, governmental agencies and currently established charitable organizations. Facial deformities result in many challenging medical issues, including feeding problems, hearing loss, unintelligible speech and recurrent ear infections. But the social and psychological consequences that result are just as devastating. The stigma of looking and sounding different leads to a very difficult and lonely life. Often, peers, communities and even relatives shun lovable and loving children, ashamed of their appearance and speech and powerless to affect positive change. Some are hidden away in locked rooms, deprived of education, medical care and any socialization with the outside world.

Due to the high costs of treatment – around 15,000 USD – children with the most severe deformities do not fall into the realm of support that many non-profits and charities provide. Currently, the Smile Rescue Fund for Kids is fundraising to pay for the surgery of Saline, a young girl who lives in the Nyanza Province of Kenya. The Smile Rescue Fund for Kids will raise money in two ways: by enlisting fundraising committee members, who provide ideas and support for ways to raise funds, and by direct contribution through a secure PayPal link on the website. All donations go directly to the medical fund. The organization’s board of directors includes Klempner, along with Alexander Dagum, MD, Chief of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Stony Brook University Medical Center, Melissa Young, Esq., Attorney at Addabbo & Greenberg, and Amy Epstein, Managing Director at ABI marketing public relations. # # # The Smile Rescue Fund for Kids was founded by Dr. Leon Klempner, a New York orthodontist who has a strong professional interest in helping children born with dentofacial deformities such as cleft lip and palate. To become a member of the fundraising committee or donate directly, visit www.smilerescuefund.org, send an email to info@smilerescuefund.org, or visit the organization’s Facebook page.

I’m happy to report that the Smile Rescue Fund for Kids is officially up and running. This is truly a collaborative effort and I’m so appreciative of the support. A special thank you Ana Sharpe for designing our logo, Mary Kay Miller for hosting the site, Amy Epstein for developing the website content, Melissa Studin for the legal support, and Alex Dagum for joining the Board.

Our first challenge (opportunity) is helping a ten year old girl from Kenya named Saline. You can read her story here. It will take about $15-20,000 to provide the corrective facial surgery needed to restore her face. I would like you to consider joining us. Just email me (leon@smilerescuefund.org) your name and I’ll get you involved. Don’t have the time? No problem, we now accept cash, check, all major credit cards and PayPal. Either way, we can use your support.

Hang on Saline, were coming.

http://smilerescuefund.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/SmileRescue_logo.jpg00Leon Klempnerhttp://smilerescuefund.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/SmileRescue_logo.jpgLeon Klempner2011-05-11 23:47:502013-12-30 23:44:14We are up and running!